Digitally transforming a white van into a south Asian ‘jingle truck’ is at the centre of a new digital art project which aims to boost integration.

Funding from Essex County Council and Arts Council England has enabled Essex artist Lata Upadhyaya to launch a series of workshops at Firstsite in Colchester on Saturday 16 September and Saturday 11 November, as well as the Jaywick Martello Tower, Clacton on the 23 September.

Lata Upadhyaya is a visual artist based at High House Artist Studios in Thurrock, and her art speciality is contemporary sculpture. Lata recently received funding from the Essex County Council’s ‘Culture in Essex scheme’ to work with migrant communities who have settled in Essex.

As part of the project, Lata will host workshops in digital creation, and work with local migrant communities in Essex to create a new identity for the omnipresent White Van.

Lata’s artwork is inspired by her South Asian culture, where truck painting and decorating to create ‘jingle trucks’ has become a popular form of art.

Cllr Susan Barker, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Customer said, “The Arts Council has very generously dedicated funding to support this project which will help to provide an important identity for migrant communities who have settled in Essex.

“These groups have brought with them ideas from their culture which could have an important role in the future growth of our economy and we are excited to be able to support them to flourish.”

For more information about the programme email Andrew Ward, Essex County Council’s Cultural Development Officer, .